My new Blackberry bush

[Samwise]

Hiya,

I've just bought a blackberry bush randomly lol because i like blackberries and i thought i'd give it a shot, does anyone have any tips about growing blackberries and bush maintenance?

Thanks -xxx-

[Mcbee]

I just planted mine and then created a frame work of poles and wire to support it. I didn't do that for the first few years and whilst i got a lot of berries, it did seem to drag on the ground. If you give it some support it will be easier to pick the fruit - and keep them out of the way of mice etc!

Its also really easy to propogate. Either take cuttings (6") in the autumn and push about 3" into a pot of earth. Leave it until the following autumn when it should have rooted and you can then pot it out.

Alternatively, you can take one of the long branches and just place it on the ground, covering it with dirt. This too should root by the following year so you can cut it away from the main plant and then put it where you want,

Free plants are always a bonus!!

[Samwise]

thank you! better make a trip to the garden centre tomorrow gosh darn it! the cuttings sound like a good idea, you can never have too many blackberries

[RedThorn]

and so begins the long slow demise of Sam! congrats and just how many bushes are you planning to start off from this one? hehe enjoy and here's to a good crop for you through the years to come! *raises glass of wine*

[Samwise]

lol thanks redthorn! as many as i can fit in spaces i can find...or make the more blackberries the better! a glass of wine is an excellent idea, i shall have one right now!
one can never overuse the exclaimation mark!!!!!!!!